CRANBURY, N.J. -- Jan. 23, 2004 -- PLAYMOBIL® USA, Inc. has announced it has received the honor of being chosen "Best Manufacturer of the Year Award" by Playthings Magazine, which will be presented at the magazine's 34th annual Industry Achievement Awards dinner at the Plaza Hotel on Monday, February 16th, on the second day of Toy Fair. According to leaders in the toy field, these awards are among the most prestigious and highly coveted by the industry and are highly respected for their importance in illustrating retailers' recognition for a company whose products they respect and appreciate.
The winners were chosen by retailers who submitted their nominations on a ballot form that was in the magazine, and on its website, for their choice of best manufacturer. The actual judging which was based solely on creativity, innovation, measurable success and design elements was determined by a panel of editors representing the retail industry.
"We are very deeply honored that PLAYMOBIL has won this very prestigious award, and are especially delighted and encouraged to learn that PLAYMOBIL is recognized by the industry as one of the best toy manufacturers whose innovative playworlds and toys create an environment of active participation where children's minds are imaginatively engaged," states Kathleen Syms, company spokesperson.
Advises Maria Weiskott, Plaything's Editor-in-Chief, "In choosing PLAYMOBIL as "Best Manufacturer of the Year" for their highly creative line of toys, we also we took into consideration PLAYMOBIL's recent mall promotion, "Come and Play With Us", a fun-filled family event series launched in November at the Woodbridge, New Jersey Center Mall that will travel to malls throughout the country at different times of the year. We consider this year-round promotion to be of great importance not only to PLAYMOBIL, but to the Toy Industry as a whole, since it brings toys to the front of the mind at times of the year other than the holiday season and at malls where parents are children are generally together."
To maintain the PLAYMOBIL concept of safe, durable and creative toys that help children develop use of their imagination that is so essential for social and psychological development, increasing verbal ability, social skills and self-confidence, PLAYMOBIL is working with a team of new, young designers who are committed to the PLAYMOBIL toy concept. "We anticipate that our new line of toys for 2004 will receive even greater recognition by the industry as toys that fulfill children's dreams in a fantasy world," states Syms.
Long recognized by the industry for the company's dedication to enriching the lives of children, PLAYMOBIL has won countless awards for its leadership in design, play value and quality. Among its awards in 2003 are "Good Toy Award" from the American Specialty Retailing Association (ASTRA), "Best Toy of the Year", from Parents Magazine, "Best Toy Award" from Child Magazine, "Best Toys of the year" from Georgia Family Magazine, the Oppenheim Gold and Platinum Seal Awards, "Best Children's Products" from Dr. Toy. and is currently a candidate for its Viking Longboat as "Best Specialty Toy of the Year" by the Toy Industry Association (TIA).
